church growth
Parish membership rise
Church growth refers to the numerical and organizational expansion of Christian congregations or denominations.
The term encompasses both organic growth through conversions and births, and strategic efforts to attract new members: The pastor attended a church growth seminar.
Since the mid-20th century, church growth has become a field of study emphasizing marketing techniques, demographic analysis, and leadership principles—sometimes criticized for prioritizing numbers over spiritual depth.
- outreachProactive community assistance
- missionary workReligious conversion efforts abroad
- megachurchVast Christian congregation
- conversionAct of changing states
- community outreachEfforts to engage locals
evangelism · revival meetings · strategic planning · Sunday school · leadership training · prayer circles · mentoring programs · altar call · baptism · multiplication · souls · volunteer coordination · ministry · fundraising campaigns · attendance · resource allocation · congregation · flock
church growthsecularization
Religion losing social significance
going through the motions · dechristianization · lukewarmness · apostasy · backsliding